News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-06-30
THE ELEPHANT AT WORK,
MAKING THE BIG BRUTEs USEFUL
IN CEYLoN.
Transporting Huge Logs from tho
Forest to the observation-disclosures
Displayed at Their Task.

Several years ago the writer, then master
| OF an American ship, was chartered IN
Bombay to proceed to a small port in
Ceylon, situated few leagues TO the
northward of Point de Gale, to load
heavy teak wood lumber for the Clyde,
and it was here that he saw displayed
the most striking intelligence of the elc-
! phant. In Ceylon no railroads stretch
from the wooded districts of the interior
to the sea coast, and the timber cut on
the mountains has to be dragged wearily
over the miles of rough country interven-
ing between the place of its growth and
the sea. From the time the tree is fellcd
and divested of its limbs until it is
formed into RATS along the shore all
the mechanical labor is performed
by the elephant. A drove of these ami
mails, varying in number from five 10
ten, are conducted into the woods by
two or three natives and set to work.
They know what is required of them,
and at once pair off generally working
IN couples) to begin their days labor.
Selling huge log with their trunks
they roll it upon their tusks, and, hold
ing 1T firmly in place by coiling their
trunk about it, they lift it bodily from
the ground and places it upon the rollers
| which are to aid in its transportation to
the beach. In cases where the clearing
will not admit of their walking abreast
with their burden, they will sidle along,
! carefully avoiding all trees and stumps,
until they place the log on its bed as
squarcly as could the most skilful
engineer; then returning at a leisurey
gait, they pick up another log, and trans
port that in the same methodical MAN.
ner, until the landraft has assumed the
required proportions.
When the ground tier has been COM
pleted and they commence to build up,
the ingenuity of the aninasf Is most
wonderfully displayed in lifting and
depositing the heavy timbers in their
place. One will lay his end down and,
passing over to his companion, they viii
together carry that end as far across the
foundation as they can reach and drop
it. Then both will return to the first
end, handling that in like manner, until
by succcssively treating each end they
work the log into place. The several
squads pass and repass one another with
out jostling or in any way interfering
with the work; and all this is done with
out word from the drivers, who spend
most of their time peacefully sleeping be-
meath the grateful shade of some neigh
boring palm. When the pile is compile
ted the ovcrseers lash it together with
heavy chains and place rough har,
ness, consisting of brcastband and
traces, upon the larger animals of the
Drove and attach them to the structure,
preparatory to dragging it to the shore.
This part of the business the elephants
seem strongly to resent, for the mo.
ment the harnesses are produced the
bulls set up dreadful trumpeting,
flourish their trunks in the air, and as
sumo a most ferocious mien, but few
prods from the goad soon reduce them
to subsection, and they start for the
beach without further delay The
smaller animals pick up the rollers that
are left behind, carry them ahead and
lay them in place, the work being con-
Quoted on the same principle upon
which buildings arc moved in our own
country, On reaching the waters edge
the elephant displays signs of the great
est pleasure, being invariably allowed an
opportunity to take bath, which is
heartily enjoyed by them.
This completes one days work. The
next morning sees them placing the tim
Der in the water and building floating
raft, which later is towed off by tho
ships crew awaiting the cargo. On the
voyage in question the writer on going
ashore one morning chanced to have sew
cral ship biscuit in his pocket, and notic-
in one old elephant more sedate and wise
looking than his companions, protfered
him cracker, which was eagerly ac-
cepted by the huge beast. After the
supply was exhausted he wound his trunk
round into all the pockets of the coat and
dismal trumpeting and turned again TO
his work. Amused by his actions, when
this same squad returned, which would
be every other morning, this old patri-
arch was met by the writer with another
lunch of biscuit, which was continued un-
til the sly fellow came to look for it as a
regular thing, and rs soon as the boat left
the ships side would leave his partner in
the lurch despite the efforts of the drivers
to prevent him, make break for the
water meeting us some distance from
shore. But, alas for the evils of a con-
frmed habit. One morning the biscuit
was forgotten, and the reception which
awaited us would cause one more cour-
ageous than Yankee skipper and his
crew to quake with fear. The old chap
went fairly wild. Though carefully
avoiding doing us any harm he beloved
loudly, Stamped his feet with anger, and
tore around in a most frantic manner,
throwing sticks, stones and whatever
came in his way, high into the air. For
a long time he refused to go to work,
and when finally driven to his task,
went in the most sullen manner, his fit of
sullls lasting through the entire day.
In Ceylon the elephant is not only used
As a beast of burden, but as domestic
servant and not infrequently acts the
part of nurse. The fond mother will
consign her tiny babe to the care of this
gigantic beast without fear while per-
forming her household duties, and her
most gentle caresses and careful atten-
tions are scarcely surpassed by those be-
slowed upon her child by this novel at
tendant If the infant cries it is carc-
fully lifted by the huge trunk and gently
swayed back and forth until it drops into
4 quiet sleep. Then it is laid upon the
ground, and the elephant fans If with
It's trunk, keeping away the flies and
other insects which gather in swarms,
all the while blowing a cool breath upon
the little sleeper; aud woe be to the wild
beast of the Jungle which seeks TO do
harm TO his charge. for his days would
be full of trouble. These are but few OF
the numerous requirements of the cle-
phant, but with these, how can the ma
lives of India, even if rude and ignorant,
refrain from holding in reverence the
beast of their country.
ON LO1tyiPp